It’s necessary to know some fundamental information about owning an EV and how Tesla operates before you buy one of any kind. The ownership experience of a Tesla is likely to be different from what you are used to, which is something you must understand before taking the plunge. Failing to do so could result in either euphoria, which some people get, or a lot of surprises mixed in.

Many Tesla owners are extremely enthusiastic about their cars, and instead of listening to legitimate concerns and inquiries from potential buyers, they assert that the vehicles can do anything. We’ve heard of cases when the cars won’t work for some people right now, but it doesn’t mean that they won’t work for others.

The most common problems deal with unique patterns of use or frequent travel to certain places, usually rural, with limited charging alternatives. Some people can work past these issues, but it’s crucial for buyers to understand their limitations. Another consideration is the cost. While there are cost savings, extensive public charging is not inexpensive, and depreciation is unpredictable. Finally, competition is heating up, and although some of the concerns are solely about EV ownership, others are specifically about Tesla.

Tesla operates differently from other automobile companies, and prospective consumers should be aware of the limits. Also, be wary of other business owners who are overly excited about selling you a car without taking the time to provide a balanced perspective and consider your circumstances and needs. So without further ado, here is what you need to know before you buy your first Tesla !

Sales Force and Process

The Tesla sales procedure and sales force are worth mentioning. Tesla does things differently, and they say that they don’t employ traditional salespeople. Even if you buy in person, you’re essentially sitting in front of a computer, ordering online. This has certain advantages (no aggressive salespeople). However, it also has some disadvantages, as their motive and attention to detail might be a little hazy at times, exacerbated by Tesla’s vagueness.

Changes to automobiles occur, and salespeople rarely seem to know about them before the public. This can continue after you’ve placed your order, as delivery dates can shift, and finance arrangements and trade-in values appear to be inconsistent. There have also been complaints of Tesla employees making false assertions about the range and what you can realistically anticipate from the cars. However, that’s due to their ignorance rather than anything else.

Tesla is largely a new company, and while they have a few used cars for sale, they aren’t typically available to inspect or test drive before purchasing one. Buyers may receive only photos of the automobile, the vehicles will undergo minimum preparation, and the time between order and delivery could be several weeks.

Depreciation

This is a complicated subject, and context is crucial. Many automobile owners who have kept their cars for a long time have seen modest depreciation, albeit this has recently altered. Model 3 vehicles depreciated slowly after their initial sale, with depreciation appearing only about 18 months after launching in a given nation. Price increases mitigated this, and Model X owners are undoubtedly benefiting. The scarcity of cars of all makes appears to be driving up used vehicle prices at the moment. As a result, owners will report modest depreciation. However, depreciation does occur, as we witnessed with the Model S.

Driving

Driving a Tesla is unlike driving a gasoline vehicle, and it’s different than driving another electric vehicle. While other electric cars have similar characteristics, Tesla’s performance is still breath-taking and unique unless you consider premium automobiles, like the Audi e-tron GT and the BMW i4.

Some of the technology is similar to that seen in other cars, such as automated door unlocking, but in some areas, Tesla takes it to the next level. You walk up, the door handles appear, and, in certain cars, the doors open for you automatically. Then, you get in, shift into drive, and drive away. There was no ignition, “on” switch, handbrake, or noise. Then, there’s the driving, which is incredibly smooth and responsive. Not to mention the incredible speed you gain when flooring it!

However, the vehicles are relatively hefty, and while they are speedy off the line, they might struggle at higher speeds and around turns. The Model 3 is nimble, and many people liken the performance to mid-size sports cars, such as the BMW M4. However, we don’t think the driving accuracy and cornering are on par with a more specialized performance model.

Many people have criticized the Model Y suspension for being overly firm. Also, the MS and MX, even in the 2021 model revision, are showing their age, with features like surround-view, head-up displays, and augmented satellite navigation still absent.

Customer Service

Tesla uses a mobile app to schedule service, and while this is convenient, talking to someone in service isn’t always as easy. Tesla handles normal maintenance and warranty issues successfully when they are straightforward. However, if your problem isn’t straightforward or if a big design defect issue looms, they may enter denial mode. Older cars have had issues with charging speed, battery capacity, and huge screen failures, which Tesla denies, despite the fact that these are clearly design flaws.

Owners have taken Tesla to court, and it’s common that Tesla won’t even show up to defend the case, changing their minds only after many owners have suffered. Forcing owners to go down the legal route is a weak organizational structure at best and an intentional and unscrupulous attempt to limit warranty at worst.

Tax and Incentives

Most countries provide EV buyers with some sort of incentives, such as a discount on the purchase price, tax credits, exemption from congestion charges, access to low-pollution zones, free parking, and more. Look at the local benefits in your country.

We hope you have enjoyed our article covering the top things you need to know before buying a Tesla. If you are considering buying or selling your Tesla , be sure to reach out to Nahas Motorcars today!